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Siegfried M. Pueschel, MD, MPH; John C. Pezzullo, PhD

Am J Dis Child. 1985;139(6):636-639.

Abstract
• We investigated the thyroid function of 151 patients with Down syndrome. Compared with a control group of 89 siblings nearest in age to their brother or sister with Down syndrome, the mean thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) value was significantly higher in patients with Down syndrome than in subjects without Down syndrome. However, the mean thyroxine (T⁴) levels in both groups were nearly the same. In the Down syndrome group there was a trend for TSH values to increase and for T⁴ values to decrease with advancing age. Of the 151 patients with Down syndrome, ten had both significantly elevated TSH levels (9.5 µU/mL) and significantly decreased T⁴ levels (5.5 µg/dL), 21 had only abnormally high TSH values, seven had only markedly Increased T⁴ levels (12.0 µg/dL), and three had only significantly decreased T⁴ levels. The intellectual function of patients with both abnormal TSH and T⁴ levels was significantly lower (mean IQ, 41.7) than that of Down syndrome patients with only increased TSH values (mean IQ, 53.8) and that of Down syndrome patients with normal thyroid function (mean IQ, 55.3). This study provides further evidence that there is an increased prevalence of thyroid dysfunction In patients with Down syndrome.

(AJDC 1985;139:636-639)

Author Affiliations
From the Child Development Center, Department of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Program in Medicine, Providence.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Department of Pediatrics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University Program in Medicine, Providence, RI 02902 (Dr Pueschel).

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